Update: Dubbed the 'miracle man' for surviving six days under heavy snow in Siachen, Lance Naik Hanumanthappa has now been posthumously awarded the 'Sena Medal'. The medal is awarded for 'individual acts of devotion to the duty or courage as have special significance for the Army'. It is also awarded for acts of bravery and Ln Nk Hanumanthappa's battle for his life was nothing but courageous. His wife received the medal at the Army Day parade by the Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat.

India has lost over 900 brave soldiers to the Siachen glacier, the highest and toughest battlefield on earth, but the news of yet another Siachen casualty today morning broke hearts. Lance Naik Hanumanthappa and nine of his colleagues were resting in a prefab shelter at the Sonam Post, when a huge ice wall crashed upon their post, 8 days ago. They were buried alive, under 25 feet of tightly compacted snow.

1. Only one man survived. His struggle for life inspired us all

Maybe it was luck, maybe it an air pocket, maybe it was his fitness and toughness. His fight for life showed India the value of every jawan's life, a rare phenomenon. Rarely has the nation come together to pray for an army man to live - this is the real 'Siachen Miracle'.

Especially those who serve in these extreme conditions. RIP Lance Naik #Hanumanthappa (3/3)

2. He was rejected by the army thrice

Despite creating a new precedent for survival in the world's most inhospitable terrain without food, water and low oxygen level, Hanumanthappa was rejected by the army thrice. He hailed from Betadur village, Karnataka known for producing many such braves, giving him enough inspiration to continue.

Enrolled in 19th Battalion of Madras Regiment in 2002, he went on serve a decade in India's most toughest regions. His postings included Mahore (Jammu and Kashmir), involved in counter-insurgency operations between 2003 to 2006. "He has served for 10 years in difficult and challenging areas out of his 13 years of service," A senior official told the media. Then, he volunteered for a posting with the 54 Rashtriya Rifles (Madras) in Jammu & Kashmir (2008-2010), fighting terrorism. After finishing this posting, he volunteered to fight terrorist outfits National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in the the north-east between 2010 to 2012.

4. Named to triumph death

Soon after the news of his survival reached his village in Dharwad, Karnataka his father revealed that he named his son after the Hindu god Hanuman, so he triumphed death.

5. Will to survive, combined with training

While the prefab shelter in which the army men were taking rest may have collapsed to allow for a pocket, it was his training at the Siachen Battle School to find air pocket and clear snow blockages despite temperatures touching as low as -55 degree Celsius.

6. One of the toughest army men to serve at Siachen

General Dalbir Singh, COAS and all ranks of the #IndianArmy express deep regret on the loss of lives of the bravehearts...

* Experts claim 92% completely buried avalanche victims can be revived only if recovered within the first 15 minutes* Only 27% are alive after 35 minute* Brain damage starts before death — 10 minutes for the average victim.

Yet, Hanumanthappa survived. At the age of 33, he had the kind of physical fitness that would make younger guys jealous. He was certainly the toughest among the 10 men deployed at the post.

7. Yoga expert and a deeply religious man

Hanumanthappa was described by army personnel as "deeply religious", and a yoga expert. "We have been told he used to not only practice yoga himself but also help fellow soldiers with their breathing exercises. Medical science can perhaps explain better but we believe yoga perhaps had a role to play in his being able to survive in those conditions. Apart from being the almighty's favourite child,'' a senior officer posted in the 14 Corps told Mail Today.

8. He walked 6 km to school everyday

He used to walk a 6 kilometres every day to his school in Aralikatti village in Dharwad district in Karnataka.